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Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

- J. F. BROWN.

ORDER HOLDER.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES JOHN F. BROIVN, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO ALBERT R.

BAKER, OF SAME PLACE.

ORDER=HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,945, dated November 13, 1888.

Application filed March 10, 1888. Serial No. 266.826.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Order-Holders, of which the following is a specification.

It has become the practice in wholesale houses where traveling salesmen are employed to provide such salesmen with ready-prepared blank sheets on which to write their orders, which they transmit to the house to be filled, and it is desirable to provide covers in which such orders may be placed while being handled by the clerks in getting out the goods for shipment, by which they may be kept from getting soiled or torn. These covers are usually attached together, and a spring-clamp is provided by which the ends can be clamped against the ends of the order-sheets, so as to hold them in convenient position for use.

My invention consists in an improved form of spring-clamp, whereby not only the ends may be clamped, as described, but also, when desired, the covers themselves. It is preferably formed of spring-wire, and connected to one of said covers by an ear secured thereto.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure l is a perspective view of a holder provided with a clamp embodying my said invention, and showing all the parts in the positions they occupy when in use; Fig. 2, a top or plan view of the same, and showing the clamp in the position it occupies when the holder is closed or not in use; and Fig. 3, a transverse sectional view through the covers alongside the clamp when in theposition shown in Fig. 1.

In said drawings the portions marked A represent the under cover, as the device is ordinarily used; B, the upper cover, and O the spring-clamp.

The covers may be, and preferably are, not only made flexible at a point near the end, but are also connected together by flexible connections, and are thus practically hinged at three places. This, however, is an old and well-known construction and is not a part of my invention. Upon the lower cover I secure an car, a, through which the spring-clamp is passed and by which it is secured to the cover.

(No model.)

The spring-clamp is formed of springwire bent around into a suitable shape to bear against the outer sides of the covers. Its ends are preferably bent into a circular form, and thus are prevented. from catching on the fabric of the covers as it is moved over them while being used, and thus marring or tearing said covers. The length of this clamp should be somewhat greater than the width of the covers, so that when the holder is closed or notin use the clamp can be swung around diagonally, as shown in Fig. 2, and thus hold the covers themselves, instead of merely the ends or binding portion, together, and enabling the users to throw the holder from one person to another without danger of its injuring the papers therein.

WVhile, as before stated, this invention is principally designed to hold orders of the character described, it may of course be used to hold letters, invoices, and other papers, if desired.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the covers A and B, hinged together at one of their ends, the ear a, secured upon one edge of one of said covers, near the end where they are hinged together, and the spring-clamp 0, formed to clamp said covers together, as described, and hinged thereto by being passed through said eara at one end, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the covers of an order-holder, hinged together at one of their ends, and each of said covers being formed with a hinge a short distance from said end hinge, the ear a, mounted on the edge of one of said covers between the hinge in itself and its connection with the other cover, and the spring-clamp G, hinged at one end in said car a and formed of a greater length than the width of said covers, whereby it may be swung forward beyond the front hinge in said covers, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 6th day of March, A. D. 1888.

JOHN F. BROWN. [L. s]

WVitnesses:

O. BRADFORD, F. W. WOOD. 

